PREP ROUNDUP : Corona del Mar Tops Top Team in Water Polo

For the second consecutive year, Corona del Mar entered the South Coast water polo tournament ranked No. 2 and left the tournament defeating the No. 1 team for the title.

Ted Simpkins scored five goals and Austin Weir four as the Sea Kings defeated top-ranked San Clemente, 13-6, for the title Saturday at Newport Harbor High School.

Last year Corona del Mar defeated Capistrano Valley in the championship game.

Even though the results were similar, the look has changed for Corona del Mar.

“Last year, we had one main player that we went to,” Weir said, referring to his older brother Ryan Weir. “But we play as a team a lot better this year.”

Corona del Mar, which improved to 6-1, has five starters back from last year’s Southern Section semifinal team but opened the season with a 7-6 loss to San Clemente.

None of the Sea Kings wanted to admit it, but Corona del Mar hoped to get a little revenge by meeting San Clemente in the South Coast tournament.

“Well, we approach it (the tournament) one game at a time, but we wanted San Clemente,” said senior goalie Robbie Pike, who had 11 saves and directed a counterattack that led to three goals.

It was the first loss in seven games for San Clemente.